Sunday

Emily Buchanan talks to Libby Purves about her collection of Nativity scenes. After which, Bishop David Walker and the Revd Dr Ian Paul will discuss if Jesus was actually born in a stable and whether or not it really matters.

Fergal Keane remembers a happy Christmas time in Soweto in the early 1990s and Yolande Knell has been celebrating the Feast of St Nicholas with Palestinian Christians.

The Bishop of Manchester comments on recent figures from the Office of National Statistics which show that the number of homeless people dying in England and Wales has risen by 25% over the past five years.

The Dean of Blackburn talks about the gin he has created with a local distillery to raise money for the cathedral and Samantha Calvert, from the Vegan Society, describes a vegan Christmas and discusses why veganism should become a protected belief.

And there is a taster from a documentary going out on Radio 4 on Christmas Day about the Once in Royal David City solo which is always sung at the beginning of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge.

Producers:

Editor:

William Crawley presents a special edition of the Sunday programme looking at immigration and how different religious groups in the United Kingdom engage with this issue.

As we look ahead to 2019 and the UK’s exit from the European Union, immigration is an issue which will continue to dominate politics. In this special edition of the programme William Crawley is joined by Dr Anna Rowlands from Durham University and the author Shelina Janmohamed to explore how different religious groups have engaged with refugees and migrants and the challenges they have faced.

Eric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics at Birkbeck College, explains the difference religious belief can have on someone’s views of immigration.

Kevin Hyland, the UK’s former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, discusses why he resigned, the role of religious groups in tackling human trafficking, and the rise of anti-migrant sentiment across Europe.

To keep Christ at the heart of the Christmas story, churches in North London have pulled out the pews and replaced them with Mary, Joseph, Shepherds and Herod to name a few, as over 900 primary school children have come together to recreate the first ever Christmas through an immersive story telling journey. Rosie Wright reports. NHS specialist organ donation nurse, Angela Ditchfield, tells Edward about a new option on the NHS Organ Donor Register which gives reassurance about how organ donation can be reconciled with a person’s faith or beliefs. With so much focus on the Prime Minister, Edward discusses the qualities needed for a good leader with two faith leaders – Bishop Nick Baines and Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner.

Producers

Naz Shah MP, parliamentary ambassador for Islamic relief's ‘Honour Her’ campaign, speaks candidly to Edward about her personal reasons for joining the campaign to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls.

Producers:

Editor:

This Sunday is the first day of Hanukkah - the Jewish festival of light. It is also the first Sunday in Advent on which Christingle services will be held in many Christian churches. We look at the significance of both festivals. The competition regulator has issued a report highlighting the rising costs of funerals. We discuss whether this will lead to transparency and lower funeral costs.

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme presented by Edward Stourton.

The British Library is hosting an exhibition on the Anglo Saxons, looking at 600 years of art, war and religion. Harry Farley speaks to lead curator Dr Claire Breay about the role of faith between the fall of Roman Britain and the Norman Conquest. David Neuberger, former President of the Supreme Court, opens up about his regrets, concerns and the difficulties facing the judiciary as part of a new series looking at the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by public servants. Asia Bibi, the Christian Pakistani woman acquitted for charges of blasphemy, is still in danger from mob violence, her supporters warn. As pressure builds on the Home Office to offer her asylum in the United Kingdom, we speak to a close friend of the family John Pontifex, from Aid to the Church in Need, and Usama Hassan, from Quilliam.

Producer: Harry Farley

In this special programme commemorating 100 years since the armistice was signed, Edward Stourton looks at the commonwealth contribution to the war effort , the impact of the war still felt across the globe today and we hear the thoughts of young people on the importance of remembrance.

Also to mark 100 years on from the end of the First World War, the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, has written a sonnet to mark the moment which she has recorded especially for Radio 4.

Producers: Rajeev Gupta

Editor:

Bishop Michael Curry became a household name when he preached at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. He talks about his new book ‘The Power of Love’. In anticipation of the worldwide Intersex Day of Remembrance on the 8th November, Edward chats to Sara who was born intersex. She describes how she has been treated by church congregations. Vishvapani talks about the life of Sangharakshita (founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order) who died this week. And the Rev Fergus Butler-Gaille describes the slightly eccentric and off-beat behaviour displayed by certain members of the English clergy over the years.

Producers: Helen Lee, Harry Farley

Hindu women have been fasting for the festival of Karva Chauth. Traditionally women keep the fast to bless their husbands with good health. But now more Hindu men are deciding to keep the fast along side their wives. AJ and Reena tell us why they have broken from tradition and have been fasting together.

The Museum of the Bible said this week that five of its 16 famous Dead Sea Scrolls fragments are fake. Dr Roberta Mazza, Papyrologist at the University of Manchester, talks about her concerns on this increasing market for forgeries/illegal artifacts.

Evangelical parishes in the Church of England have bought up millions of pounds worth of property. Harry Farley explores whether they are stockpiling assets ahead of a split.

Academics at the University of Cambridge are exploring the link between epilepsy and religious experience. Catherine Carr reports.

PRODUCERS:

SERIES PRODUCER: